Several New York politicians, particularly Governor Cuomo and Maria T. Vullo, have verbally attacked the National Rifle Association (NRA), written letters to state regulatory agencies, industries regulated by New York State, and advised the industries to evaluate whether they should keep the NRA as a customer.

The NRA has filed a lawsuit on First Amendment grounds. The issue is whether the state government can single out a particular entity it politically disagrees with, and use its regulatory power against that entity.

Such use would effectively silence political foes, nullifying First Amendment protections. The New Republic, a leftist publication, noted the import of Governor Cuomo's words. From newrepublic.com:

The statements dont actually direct any businesses to cut off ties with the NRA. At most, they are phrased as sternly worded advisory notices. But such words from a state financial regulator are hard to ignore, especially when the governor is backing them up explicitly. The NRA is an extremist organization, Cuomo wrote on Twitter the following day. I urge companies in New York State to revisit any ties they have to the NRA and consider their reputations, and responsibility to the public.

Its a nice business youve got there, the governor seemed to be saying to Wall Street. Itd be a shame if something were to happen to it. In May, a few weeks after DFS sent the notices, state regulators announced consent orders against Lockton Companies and Chubb Group Holdings related to the Carry Guard program; both companies were barred from working with the organization in the future. According to the NRA,

The ACLU know Cuomo is going to lose in court. This is classic viewpoint discrimination. Also, theyre worried that Republican governors could do the same against various Leftist groups in multiple red states.

Many years ago, the ACLU sided with a local guy concerning the 2nd amendment. Just a day or two before it went to trial, they bailed out leaving him to lose. I am sure the NRA is not depending on them. I wouldn’t.

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